Idaho State Department of Education - Weekly Update 04/26/2021

Idaho State Department of Education
Weekly Update 04/26/2021

                State Department of Education Weekly Update: April 26, 2021
Quick links to this week’s updates
Superintendent Ybarra’s Updates
COVID-19 Related Updates
         Department of Health and Welfare Vaccine Newsletter and Media Briefing – April 7
Certification
         It’s Time to Renew Your Certificates
Child Nutrition
         USDA CNP Waivers and Flexibilities in School Year 2021-2022
         Idaho P-EBT
         Emergency Operational Costs for CNP
Content & Curriculum
         Sustaining Innovation Idaho Mastery-Based Education Annual Conference
         Superintendent Ybarra’s First Annual K-3 Reading Summit
Federal Programs
         2021-2022 CFSGA Workshops
         ESSER Capital Expenditure Preapproval Forms
Special Education
         Youth Empowerment Service (YES) Newsletter – 3rd Edition
Odds & Ends
         Family First Listening Session
         2021 Arbor Day Student Photo Contest
         Edufest is Back!
         Idaho Art Education Association Spring Conference
         Month of the Military Child

Superintendent Ybarra’s Update
Superintendent Ybarra’s Celebrates Signing of In-Person Learning Bill
Idaho parents who advocated for Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra’s in-person learning bill joined the
superintendent in celebrating Thursday afternoon when Gov. Brad Little signed the legislation into law. Superintendent
Ybarra thanked the governor for his support in making sure students can be with their peers and their teachers
whenever safety concerns can be met at the local level. Lawmakers in the Idaho House and Senate overwhelmingly
supported in-person instruction as an essential part of an effective education, especially for students with the greatest
needs, such as students with disabilities and English language learners. Idahoans can watch video of the signing
ceremony at the State Department of Education Facebook page and read the bill online. Thank you all for your support
of this bill!
U.S. Department of Education Releases Second Volume of K-12 COVID-19 Handbook
Last week, the U.S. Department of Education released the second volume of its K-12 COVID-Handbook. This handbook
provides additional strategies for safely reopening all of America's schools and promoting educational equity by
addressing opportunity gaps that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. View the full handbook here.

                                                  Idaho State Department of Education | Weekly Update | April 26, 2021

Idaho State Department of Education
Weekly Update 04/26/2021

Superintendent Ybarra Issues Statement About Teachers’ Budget Action
The appropriations bill for the teachers’ division for public schools failed Tuesday by a tie vote in the Idaho House of
Representatives, prompted by legislative concerns that state funds could be used to advance a social justice agenda.
Here is Superintendent Ybarra’s response:
“Our public schools provide a high quality education that encourages students to explore a variety of viewpoints on
every topic. We are grateful for the hardworking and dedicated educators who facilitate this learning. As a former third
grade teacher, I can say with confidence that these educators share our Idaho values because they are our friends and
neighbors.
We also recognize that cancel culture and political agendas have no place in our schools. I support the Legislature’s
efforts to put in law what is already a standing practice in our schools”

ESSER II and K-12 Public Schools Budget Webinar
The SDE held a webinar on April 14 at 12:00pm MST to provide an update on ESSER II, the IRI, the Advanced Professional
Endorsement and the current status of the K-12 public schools budget. The recorded webinar and presentations can be
found at the links below.

Recorded webinar
Presentations

2021-2022 Administrator and Certified Personnel Contract Templates
Templates for the 2021-2022 Administrator and Certified Personnel Contracts are posted on the Admin/Certified
Personnel Contracts webpage. The only revisions were related to formatting and capitalization. Contact Michelle
Clement Taylor (mtaylor@sde.idaho.gov or 208-332-6963) with any questions about the templates.

LAST CHANCE: Superintendent Ybarra Requests Recommendations for “Talent Pool”
The superintendent maintains a file of emerging classroom leaders that consists of a cadre of distinguished teachers and
principals. These educators may be considered for membership on advisory boards and task forces, as well as candidates
for special recognition programs. Your recommendations will identify educators who will be of great value to your
community and state and who may also ultimately receive recognition for their contributions and achievements.
Please provide CONFIDENTIAL, succinct and specific information for a candidate using this form. All questions must be
answered. Please include a one-page narrative with this form that addresses how the candidate meets the criteria
mentioned in this letter and also a resume from their personal file. We ask that you keep this recommendation
confidential and do not share it with the individual or collaborate with a colleague to complete. All forms must be
submitted by Friday, April 30, 2021.

COVID-19 Updates
Karli Bennett, Project and Communications Specialist
kbennett@sde.idaho.gov
208-332-6812

Department of Health and Welfare Vaccine Newsletter and Media Briefing – April 7
DHW publishes a bi-weekly COVID-19 newsletter, a briefing on the department’s latest news, communications activities,
and resources for the pandemic. They also regularly publish media briefings. Find the latest newsletter here and the
latest media briefing here.

                                                  Idaho State Department of Education | Weekly Update | April 26, 2021

Idaho State Department of Education
Weekly Update 04/26/2021

Certification
Lisa Colón Durham, Director
lcolondurham@sde.idaho.gov
208-332-6886

It’s Time to RENEW Your CERTIFICATES
District/charter school staff, it is time to remind your certified staff to check their certificates! Teachers, administrators
and pupil service staff that have certificates that expire 08/31/2021, now is the time to apply for your renewal. There are
two options:
     • Hardcopy application and attach your transcripts. If you must send your transcripts separately from your
         application please email them to transcripts@sde.idaho.gov. Official transcripts are not required for renewal
         applications.
     • Apply online and email your transcripts to transcripts@sde.idaho.gov.

Child Nutrition
Colleen Fillmore, Director
crfillmore@sde.idaho.gov
208-332-6823

USDA CNP Waivers and Flexibilities in School Year 2021-2022
USDA has announced a new suite of Child Nutrition Program nationwide waivers and
flexibilities to support a successful school reopening in school year 2021-2022.
These waivers and flexibilities increase funding, support access, and balance operational needs with the goal of
providing nutritious meals.
A list of the waivers can be seen below. Our office will be meeting with USDA this Thursday April 22, 2021 for further
guidance.
     • Nationwide Waiver to Allow the Seamless Summer Option through School Year 2021-2022
     • Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program Reimbursement Rates in School Year 2021-2022
     • Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Meal Service for School Year 2021-2022
     • Nationwide Waiver of Meal Time Requirements for School Year 2021-2022
     • Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children for School Year 2021-2022
     • Nationwide Waiver to Allow Specific School Meal Pattern Flexibility for School Year 2021-2022
     • Nationwide Waiver to Allow Specific Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child and Adult Care Food Program for School
          Year 2021-2022
     • Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibility for Senior High Schools in School Year 2021-2022
     • Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the Afterschool Programs and for Family Day Care Home Providers in
          School Year 2021-2022
     • Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs – Revised – EXTENSION 3
     • Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies in the Child and Adult Care Food
          Program – EXTENSION 3
     • Nationwide Waiver of Monitoring Requirements for Sponsors in the Child and Adult Care Food Program –
          EXTENSION

                                                   Idaho State Department of Education | Weekly Update | April 26, 2021

Idaho State Department of Education
Weekly Update 04/26/2021

Idaho P-EBT
The Idaho State Department of Education is happy to announce that JFAC approved spending authority on 4/13/21 for
the Idaho School P-EBT program. We are waiting for the next steps of approval before moving forward.
The USDA has approved Idaho to operate a School Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program during SY
2020-2021. The approved plan can be found at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-guidance-coronavirus-pandemic-
ebt-pebt
P-EBT is part of the U.S. government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
of 2020 (PL 116–127), as amended by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (PL 116-159),
provides the Secretary of Agriculture authority to approve state agency plans to administer P-EBT. The Child Nutrition
Program (CNP) is currently collecting calendars and determining eligibility and benefit amounts for the students in Idaho.

Emergency Operational Costs for CNP
On January 26, 2021, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published implementation guidance for the CNP Emergency
Operational Costs Programs, as authorized in Sec. 722 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260).
Under this authority, FNS is offering additional funds to State agencies administering the National School Lunch Program
(NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to provide eligible program
operators with additional reimbursements for emergency operating costs they incurred during the public health
emergency. If you school district is eligible for these monies per USDA regulations you will be notified. More information
will be coming.

Content & Curriculum
Todd Driver, Director
tdriver@sde.idaho.gov
208-332-6876

Sustaining Innovation Idaho Mastery-Based Education Annual Conference
Join educators from around the state of Idaho in sharing practices and experiences with mastery-based education
principles. No matter your understanding or stage of implementation with mastery, you will find something compelling
and informative. Workshop sessions include the highly engaging keynote speaker, author George Cuoros, a Q&A panel,
and workshops for practitioners, administrators, and those new to mastery. The conference is a virtual conference
taking place on June 14, 2021. Register at this link.

Superintendent Ybarra’s First Annual K-3 Reading Summit
Superintendent Ybarra’s First Annual K-3 Reading Summit will virtually host over 600 educators in May and has closed
2021 registration. Mark your calendars for spring 2022 to register and attend the 2nd Annual K-3 Reading Summit!

Federal Programs
Karen Seay, Director
kseay@sde.idaho.gov
208-332-6978

CFSGA Workshops
2021-2022 CFSGA workshops will be provided virtually the week of May 3-6 and May 10-12. An email from Michelle
Perreira was sent to LEAs on 4.15.2021. The schedule and registration information will be emailed next.

                                                  Idaho State Department of Education | Weekly Update | April 26, 2021

Idaho State Department of Education
Weekly Update 04/26/2021

ESSER Capital Expenditure Preapproval Forms
ESSER Capital Expenditure preapproval forms may be accessed here.

Special Education
Charlie Silva, Director
csilva@sde.idaho.gov
208-332-6806

Youth Empowerment Service (YES) Newsletter – 3rd Edition
The YES newsletter will bring you the latest updates on Idaho’s Youth Empowerment Services (YES) system of care for
children’s mental health. To view the latest newsletter and to sign up to receive it regularly, please visit this link.
Odds and Ends
If you would like to include information in Odds and Ends, please send it to Karli Bennett Kbennett@sde.idaho.gov

Family First Listening Session
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is ready to conduct listening sessions for educators. The listening sessions
will be conducted by Katrina Day via a recorded WebEx and will be approximately 90 minutes in length. The information
shared during this interview is confidential and responses will be de-identified. These sessions seek to further
understand the needs of families in your community and how to best meet these identified needs. The focus will be on
three different groups; families that are at risk of entering the child welfare system, families of children and youth
currently in foster care and families finalizing permanency for youth that are not being reunited with their birth family.
Inquiry in each of these areas will include availability of services, barriers in accessing services, gaps in services, efficacy
of services, evidence-based services available and the most pressing needs of families in your area. Your responses are
extremely important as future decisions will be made based on the information you share. Data from this assessment
will inform service improvement as well as development of new services in Idaho.

The listening sessions for educators are scheduled for Friday, May 7 at 4pm MST and Wednesday, May 26 at 5pm MST. If
you are interested in participating, please RSVP to Katrina Day at Katrina.Day1@dhw.idaho.gov. Thank you for your time
and consideration.

2021 Arbor Day Student Photo Contest
Arbor Day ’21 is April 30 and that means it’s time to launch the Idaho Forest Products Commission’s annual student
photo contest for Idaho 5th-12th graders. The submission deadline is April 16, 2021. Students may enter two digital
photos expressing the theme “look to the forest.” Winners receive cash and other prizes and their photos are shared
online and at Arbor Day events. To submit art and learn more, please visit the Idaho Forests website.

Edufest is Back!
Come experience the Northwest’s premier summer conference on gifted and talented education on the campus of Boise
State University OR from the comfort of your own home. The highlights of this conference include an opening keynote
featuring Joe Renzulli and Sally Reis, 20 Live Essential Strands from leaders in the field of Gifted and Talented Education,
and clock hours and credits available. All registered participants will receive access to all the recorded Strands and
Special Topics for six months after the conference. Register online here and view the Edufest website for more
information!

                                                     Idaho State Department of Education | Weekly Update | April 26, 2021

Idaho State Department of Education
Weekly Update 04/26/2021

Idaho Art Education Association Spring Conference
Visual Voices: Teaching Through Challenge & Change will focus on giving educators the resources and tools to develop
visual art lessons that provide safe, respectful ways for students to engage with ideas of social justice, equity, inclusion
and change. This year’s conference will take place on Saturday, May 1st 2021 from 9:00am-5:00pm. The conference will
feature educators and artists whose work inspires change in our community. Educators can earn one professional
development credit from Boise State. Learn more and register here.

SDE Weekly updates now available online
Current and past weekly updates are available on our website. Visit the weekly update page. You can also subscribe to
receive our weekly update directly in your inbox.

                                                   Idaho State Department of Education | Weekly Update | April 26, 2021